SEASIDE, Calif. — The Central Washington University men’s basketball team (3-2) split its time in the West Region Crossover on after falling to the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (2-0) on Saturday. This was following the Wildcat’s 80-68 victory over Menlo on Friday.

“We needed to do a better job of guarding the three-point line today. That was an emphasis going in, and we gave up 15 of them,” said Wildcats head coach Brandon Rinta. “I give our guys credit for fighting the whole game. We dug ourselves out of a hole and cut it to one possession. Just couldn’t get the stop we needed late.”

The Wildcats started off strong with a 7-0 run in the first half. The Otters would get on the board with a free throw, but CWU would respond with a layup from junior Jordan Clark.

Cal State would cut into the lead with a 4-2 run and then add on their score with a 6-0 run following a timeout. Wildcats player Eli Williams hit a three-point and Jalen Childs would make a layup to extend their lead, but the Otters would respond with a three pointer from Ariya Briscoe to make it a four point game.

The two teams would go back and forth through the remainder of the first half before going into halftime with the Otters taking the 40-38 lead.

In the second half the Otters would take a significant 15 point lead going up 83-71 with 4:39 left in the game. The Wildcats would rally for a 10-0 run to cut into the lead and have the score at 83-81 within the final two minutes.

The Otters would continue to apply pressure through free throws and dunks and the Wildcats would fall short ending the game 92-88 in favor of Cal State.

Bradley Swillie led the Wildcats in scoring with 29 total poins followed by Clark with 20. Clark also led the team with five assists, three steals, and a .500 shooting percentage and going 7-14 from the field.

Garrett Marrs led the team in rebounds with seven total boards followed by Clark and Williams with six rebounds each.

The Otters’ Michael Mora led the team with 29 points with both Mora and Joey Bilello scoring 8 rebounds. Jaeden Tengan led the team with 8 assists and Bilello and Ariya Brisco each had 11 blocks.

The three-point percentage was a big presence during the matchup with the Otters hitting 53.6% of its shots and CWU making 33.3%.

The Wildcats will return to Ellensburg to kick of the home opener 7 p.m. Friday against Chico State at the Nicholson Arena. The Otters will be hitting the road for their next five games beginning with a game against Jessup University at the Bill Holtz Classic on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE:

CWU: 38-50: 88

CAST: 40-52: 92